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For the first time in over 20 years, this beloved holiday tradition is back. Our 2025 Collectible Downtown White Bear Lake Mainstreet ornament is available now at Affinity For Quilts and other participating businesses. These beautiful ornaments are locally made by Mark and Vicki of Lasered Pics MN.
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New Patterns For Inspiration
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Need a stocking stuffer for the quilter in your life (or a little treat for yourself)? The new Villa Rosa patterns are here for December, and they’re perfect for quick inspiration and easy gift-giving. My personal favorite is Feline Friends. Stop in to see the full new lineup and grab a few for your quilty friends. .
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Looking ahead to 2026? We have two great quilting calendars to keep you organized and inspired all year long. The 2026 Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar features beautifully photographed quilts and includes a pullout booklet with complete instructions for all 12 projects shown—perfect for decorating your sewing space. For your handbag or tote, the Riley Blake Designs 2026 Quilty Calendar is ideal for on-the-go planning. This compact 5" x 7 1/2" calendar highlights major holidays and makes it easy to keep track of important dates at a glance.
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Wrap yourself in a little romance with the Letters to Cupid Heartwarming Quilt Kit. This pieced quilt features My Mind’s Eye’s Letters to Cupid collection, blending cream, red, and pink prints with fluttering cupids, delicate florals, classic stripes, and playful X’s and O’s. With a pattern by Wendy Sheppard, the piecing is straightforward and enjoyable, and you’ll end up with a cozy 52" x 52" quilt that’s perfect for sharing a bit of love and warmth.
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Love You Always by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs is a vibrant, heartfelt collection that celebrates love in all its forms. Bold florals, playful hearts, XOs, and charming ditsy prints make it perfect for projects that feel sweet and stylish. A warm palette of soft whites, rosy pinks, deep reds, and pale greens suits Valentine’s Day and beyond. These versatile prints mix effortlessly for endless creative possibilities and truly memorable quilts.
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Classroom Space
If your group is looking for a place to meet, we invite you to contact Affinity For Quilts at 651-429-1039 to check availability. We offer two free Open Sew Days each month—on the 1st Friday and the 3rd Tuesday—from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Space is limited, so registration opens on the 15th of the month prior.
Private groups may also rent our space for a fee of $10 per day, per group. In addition, we welcome nonprofit organizations and quilting guilds to host events at our shop—just give us a call to discuss the details and make arrangements.
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Recurring Store Specials
- Double Punch Tuesday: Every 1st Tuesday of the month.
- Freebie Monday: Every 2nd Monday of the month.
- FQ Wednesday: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Buy 6 Get 7th Free.
- Sale Wall Friday: Every 4th Friday of the month. Take an extra 10% off all Sale Wall Fabrics.
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Winter Weather Notifications
- A Facebook post will be shared with details about any closure or delayed opening.
- An email will be sent to all current subscribers of the What’s Up Wednesday newsletter.
- The website calendar will be updated with closure or delay information.
- If the weather is questionable and you’re unsure whether the shop is open, please call 651-429-1039 before heading out. If no one answers and it’s between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., we’re most likely closed.
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Sewing Machine Service
Does your sewing machine need a tune-up or repair? Jordan is on-site and ready to help with all your machine servicing needs.
When dropping off your machine, please be sure to include the following:
• Sewing machine
• Foot control and power cord
• Standard zig-zag foot (if applicable)
• Bobbin case, bobbin, and thread
To schedule an appointment or speak with Jordan directly, call him at 612-275-3356. For added convenience, curbside pickup and delivery are currently available.
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Join the Quilting For Affinity Facebook Group
We’d love to see what you’ve been working on! Share your finished projects and get inspired by fellow quilters in our Quilting For Affinity Facebook group.
Simply click on the "Join Now" button below to visit the group, then select "Join Group"—and you're in! It’s a great way to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the joy of quilting together.
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Vacuum the cut edges of your minky right after cutting to keep the fuzz from going airborne and taking over your sewing space. This quick cleanup also helps prevent fibers from getting pulled into your sewing machine. When you finish your project, be sure to clean your machine—you’ll likely find even more fuzz inside. The Sonic Power vacuum is a handy tool to keep right at your cutting table and works great for capturing the fuzz as cut and can also be used to clean the inside of your machine.
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Classes and Events
Class Registration and Cancellation Policy
To ensure fair access, payment is required at registration. Cancellations made at least 7 business days prior to the class are eligible for store credit or a full refund issued by check. If a cancellation occurs within 7 business days of the class, we’re happy to offer a refund only if we’re able to fill the spot from the waitlist.
Class Prep Information
Many of our classes include preparation instructions in the supply list that are meant to be completed at home before class. To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, we kindly ask that you arrive with all prep work finished and ready to make the most of our class time together.
Join the Waitlist
If a class is full, don’t forget to add your name to the waitlist. We’ll contact you if a spot becomes available, and your interest helps us decide whether to offer the class again in the future.
Register In-Person or by Phone
Sign up at 2199 4th Street, White Bear Lake, MN, or call us at 651-429-1039.
Happy Quilting!
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Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy Minnesota's fall beauty, stock up for the winter season, and support your favorite small-town quilt shops.
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Open Embroidery with Sharon
Join our embroidery circle for a day of creativity. Work on your personal embroidery projects in good company, and feel free to bring lunch, or perhaps venture out with your fellow stitchers to explore the offerings of Downtown White Bear Lake’s eateries. Sharon, our resident expert, is ready to help with any embroidery questions you might have. Be sure to carry along your completed projects for show-and-tell session.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
December 18, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Fee: $15.00/monthly gathering
Instructor: Sharon Lenertz
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Featherweight Friends
Calling all Featherweights! Join us on the third Friday of each month for a day of sewing, sharing, and camaraderie.
Featherweight Friends is a gathering of sewing enthusiasts who share a common passion for Singer Featherweight sewing machines. Whether you're a seasoned Featherweight owner or new to the world of these compact and iconic machines, our club welcomes all sewing skill levels. Diana, our experienced instructor, will oversee our Featherweight Friends club! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect and sew with fellow Featherweight sewing machine owners. Exchange anecdotes, discuss your latest sewing triumphs, and share your current sewing projects with a friendly community of like-minded individuals.
What to Bring:
- Your Singer Featherweight sewing machine
- Sewing supplies and materials for your current project
- Any finished projects you'd like to share with the group
- Your enthusiasm and love for sewing!
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Club Leader: Diana Wendorf
Club Fee: $15.00
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Midnight Open Sew
Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your Friday night? Join Diana for Midnight Open Sew— an evening dedicated to stitching, sharing, and socializing! Bring your current project, sewing machine, and basic quilting supplies for eight enjoyable hours of uninterrupted sewing time.
The menu for the evening will be Green Salad, Chocolate Pork Tenderloin, Cranberry Fluff, and a surprise dessert provided by one of our attendees.
Wrap up the evening by inspiring others during our always-popular Show-and-Tell session, held after supper. We can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on!
We currently have two openings available. Contact us today, as these spots are expected to fill quickly.
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
Time: 4:00pm - Midnight
Event Hostess: Diana Wendorf
Class Fee: $25.00
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Sew-In-Sunday
Looking for a relaxing and creative way to spend your Sunday? Join us for Sew-In-Sunday and enjoy a full day of sewing alongside fellow quilting enthusiasts. Bring your own project(s), your machine, and your favorite supplies, and settle in for a day of stitching and fun!
Dinner will be served at 5:00 PM. The menu for the evening will be Green Salad, Chocolate Pork Tenderloin, Cranberry Fluff, and French Silk Brownies for dessert.
After supper, take part in our Show-and-Tell session—share your progress, admire others’ creations, and leave feeling inspired!
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Time: 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Event Hostess: Diana Wendorf
Class Fee: $25.00
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Straight Line Quilting
Are you ready to elevate your machine quilting skills? Join us for this focused half-day workshop on Straight Line Quilting, designed to help quilters of all levels gain confidence with this versatile and modern quilting technique.
In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to use straight line quilting to add structure, texture, and visual interest to your quilt tops using your sewing machine.
What you'll learn:
- Marking methods and spacing techniques
- Best practices for managing bulk and maintaining stitch quality
- The benefits of using a walking foot
- Tips for troubleshooting common issues
You’ll work on two pre-basted 16"x16" quilt sandwiches to practice different line patterns and approaches.
Whether you're new to machine quilting or looking to refine your technique, this workshop offers a supportive, low-pressure environment to explore and grow your skills.
Date: Saturday, January 3,2026
Time: 12:30 am – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Susan Drabek
Class Fee: $35.00
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Singer Featherweight Maintenance Class
Keep your cherished Singer Featherweight sewing machine running smoothly for years to come. In this hands-on maintenance class, expert instructor Jordan Frayne will guide you through inspecting, oiling, and cleaning your machine.
Whether you’re a lifelong sewing enthusiast or just beginning your journey with these iconic machines, you’ll leave with the knowledge and confidence to care for your Featherweight at home. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their machine in top condition and enjoy worry-free sewing.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to inspect your Singer Featherweight for wear or issues
- Proper oiling techniques to ensure smooth operation
- Cleaning tips for maintaining both appearance and performance
- Best practices for long-term Featherweight care
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
Time: 10:00am-12:00 pm
Instructor: Jordan Frayne
Class Fee: $30.00
Skill Level: All Levels
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Desert Sky
Quiltworx Paper Piecing
Discover the beauty of foundation paper piecing in this exciting workshop featuring the Desert Sky pattern from Quiltworx. Taught by Certified Quiltworx Instructor Kristen Bender, this class will guide you step-by-step through Judy Niemeyer’s techniques for creating crisp points, perfect curves, and striking quilt blocks.
Whether you’re new to paper piecing or looking to refine your skills, you’ll enjoy hands-on instruction, tips for fabric selection, and strategies for staying organized while working on this dynamic quilt pattern.
What You’ll Learn:
- Foundation paper piecing techniques for sharp, accurate points
- How to organize and prepare fabrics using Quiltworx methods
- Time-saving strategies for cutting, piecing, and managing unit Tips for working with contrasting fabrics to maximize design impact
Date: January 10, 2026
Time: 9:30am -4:30pm
Instructor: Kristen Bender, Certified Quiltworx Instructor
Class Fee: $65.00
Skill Level: Confident Beginner and above
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Lucky Break Mini-Mystery
We’re thrilled to partner with Mystery Five-0 to bring you an all-new quilting experience filled with fun, creativity, and community! As we kick off the Lucky Break Mini-Mystery, we’d love for you to join our exclusive Facebook group created for quilters who love a good mystery.
Inside the group, you’ll find:
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Exclusive Updates: Be the first to receive clues, patterns, and important announcements.
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Community Support: Connect with fellow quilters, share progress, and seek advice.
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Inspiration Galore: Discover creative ideas and showcase your unique creations.
Come join the fun and be part of the mystery.
Date: January 10, 2026
Time: Begins at 10:00 am with the final clue being delivered at 2:00pm
Location: The comfort of your home
How to sign up: Join Our Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/affinityforquiltsm50mystery
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Sashiko Club
Join our Sashiko Club! This is an instructor led open stitching group. During your time together, you will work on your own individual projects and get tips and pointers from other stitchers, and our talented instructor Tammy Berry. During each club Tammy arrives prepared to share patterns, techniques, or a project she is working on. Stitchers are welcome any time throughout the year. Join us for every session or for a few sessions as your time allows.
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 9:30pm-12:30pm
Instructor: Tammy Berry
Class Fee: $15.00
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Jelly Roll Placemat Class
Turn fabric strips into a colorful, functional project in this fun and hands-on class! Learn how to sew and shape strips into a quilted placemat using techniques that can also be applied to jelly roll rugs and other strip-based projects.
Instructor Kris Livingston will guide you through the process, sharing tips for color placement, batting options, and sewing methods to make your project successful. Whether you use a jelly roll or cut your own strips, you’ll enjoy creating a placemat that’s both practical and creative — and you’ll leave class ready to make more at home.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to sew and shape 2½" strips into a placemat
- Tips for color placement to create visual impact
- Best practices for working with batting strips
- Techniques to achieve a smooth, flat finish
- Tools and tricks that make the process easier and faster
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Kris Livingston
Class Fee: $35.00
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
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Tuffet Class
two part class
Add a touch of charm to your home with a handmade tuffet! This two-session class is perfect for anyone looking to create a unique, stylish footstool with a quilted flair.
Session 1: Creating the Tuffet Cover
In the first session, you’ll learn the foundation piecing technique to sew the tuffet cover. Kristen will guide you through the process and help you get as much sewing done as possible in class. You’ll complete any remaining sewing at home before the next session.
Session 2: Assembling the Tuffet
Come ready to bring it all together! In this session, you’ll learn how to assemble your tuffet step-by-step. By the end of class, you’ll have a beautiful, finished 18” round tuffet ready to take home and enjoy.
Whether you're looking to add a personalized accent piece to your space or create a thoughtful handmade gift, this class is a fun and rewarding way to do it!
Dates: Saturday, January 24, & February 7, 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:30pm on January 24 & 12:00pm - 4:00pm on February 7, 2026
Instructor: Kristen Bender
Class Fee: $325.00 (includes tuffet kit and pattern)
$110.00 for students that own their kit and pattern
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The Cube Bag Class
Looking for a fun project that’s both useful and cute? Join Ruth for a one-day class making The Cube Bag—a smaller take on the popular Boxy Tote, designed by Penny Sturges. This handy little bag is just the right size for sewing supplies, small knitting projects, makeup, or whatever you like to carry on the go.
What you'll learn:
- Work with foam to give your bag structure
- Add pockets for organization
- Put in a zipper (don’t worry, Ruth makes it easy!)
- Build a bag from start to finish
Ruth’s step-by-step teaching style and easy-to-follow instructions will give you the skills and confidence to make this bag again on your own.
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time:9:30am – 3:30 pm
Instructor: Ruth Thompson
Class Fee: $55.00
Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner/Intermediate
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Thread Painting & Embellishment Class
Enhance your quilts and fabric projects with stunning thread painting techniques! In this hands-on class, you will learn how to use free-motion straight stitching and zig-zag stitching to add intricate details, shading, and texture to your designs. Whether you're working on landscape quilts, pet portraits, or printed fabric panels, thread painting allows you to bring your projects to life with depth and dimension.
What you'll learn:
- Free-motion thread painting with straight and zig-zag stitching
- Adding shading and texture with thread layering
- Enhancing printed fabric designs with stitched embellishments
- Creating realistic details for pet portraits and landscapes
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Instructor: Linda Heimerl
Class Fee: $35.00
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
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Blooming Tulips Table Runner Class
Foundation Paper Piecing
Hold onto your hats—this class has a little bit of everything. In the Blooming Tulips class, you’ll create a 16" x 52" table runner featuring paper-pieced tulips and machine-appliquéd leaves, finished with sweet yo-yo accents and a pretty scalloped edge. You’ll also learn the steps to complete the project with straight-line quilting so you can leave class confident about how to finish your runner at home.
What You’ll Learn
- Appliqué techniques used in the pattern
- How to make and use bias binding
- How to create scalloped edge borders/binding
- How to make and attach yo-yo accents
- Steps for straight-line quilting to finish your runner
Date: February 21, 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (includes a 30-minute lunch break)
Instructor: Susan Drabek
Class Fee: $60.00
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
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Pet Portrait Quilt Class
Capture the essence of your beloved pet in fabric! In this one-day class, Linda will guide you through the process of transforming a photo of your pet into a quilted work of art. You’ll learn techniques for replicating the colors, textures, and unique details of your pet’s image to create a personalized, one-of-a-kind quilt. This class is perfect for quilters looking to try a creative technique and leave with a keepsake showcasing their furry (or feathered!) friend.
What you'll learn:
- Creating a pet portrait collage from a photo using fabric values and color placement
- Tracing and building templates to cut and assemble pet shapes accurately
- Fusing and layering fabric pieces effectively for a clean, workable collage surface
- Thread painting and/or free-motion stitching techniques to add detail and dimension
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Instructor: Linda Heimerl
Class Fee: $60.00
Skill Level: Intermediate
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QuiltedJacket Class
Beachcomber
Create a beautiful, custom-fit quilted jacket in this immersive two-day Beachcomber Jacket workshop. Using the Beachcomber Jacket pattern by Laundry Basket Quilts, you’ll learn how to use a crewneck sweatshirt as a guide for sizing and shaping while building your jacket from your own quilted fabric pieces. Throughout the class, you’ll design your layout, quilt your sections, assemble the garment, and finish it with clean, professional-looking bias binding.
Perfect for intermediate quilters ready to expand their skills, this workshop provides the guidance, instruction, and time needed to successfully create a wearable quilted garment you’ll love.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to use a sweatshirt as a sizing and shaping guide for your quilted jacket
- Fundamental quilting techniques
- Basics of garment construction
- How to finish with bias binding for a polished look
Dates: Saturdays, April 4 & 18, 2026
Time: Day 1 – 11:00am–5:00pm | Day 2 – 9:30am–3:30pm
Instructor: Morgan Meade
Class Fee: $110.00
Skill Level: Intermediate
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Thank you for your continued support, you are appreciated more than words can ever express.
Stay well and happy quilting everyone. Remember, you cannot keep a good quilter down.
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